News archive of December 2023

Finance Minister Asen Vassilev announced a significant decline in the state budget deficit for November, reaching a mere 0.6%. This marks a milestone in over two decades, with revenue from taxes surpassing expenditures—a first in this time frame.

The Ministry of Health in Bulgaria revealed that a staggering 90.8% of newly reported HIV cases were transmitted sexually, marking a concerning trend on World AIDS Day. Since the start of this year, 228 new HIV-positive cases have emerged, totaling 4,276 cases between 1986 and November 2023.

Bulgargaz, the public gas supplier of Bulgaria, revealed its proposed final natural gas price for December at 87.50 BGN/MWh (excluding excise duty and VAT), marking a 6.5% increase compared to November. The company emphasized that while this hike is lower than initially anticipated, it represents a significant rise for the upcoming month.

BELGRADE - In 2022, the Belgrade region was the biggest contributor to Serbia's GDP with a 40 pct share and the northern Vojvodina province followed with 26.4 pct.

According to preliminary figures released by the national statistical office, the Sumadija and Western Serbia region is in third place with 18.4 pct and the Southern and Eastern Serbia region follows with 15.2 pct.

An investigation is underway into the death of a 52-year-old man who suffered fatal injuries when he was hit by a suburban train outside Patras.

The accident happened near a bridge in the vicinity of the town of Kato Achea, south of Patras.

The man was transferred by ambulance to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

DUBAI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday Italian PM Giorgia Meloni would come to Belgrade in less than two days and that her visit would be important for bilateral ties and for bringing in more investors, as well as for bilateral political ties and Italy's further support to Serbia's progress on the EU path.

"If you want to join the EU, I think you won't open a new chapter if you don't follow all EU decisions, including the sanctions against Russia," Lavrov said at a press conference during the OSCE Ministerial Council, answering a question from a journalist from Serbia what the final outcome of talks between Belgrade and Pristina would be.

Henry Kissinger, the controversial former US National Security Advisor and Secretary of State, passed away on Wednesday, aged 100.

Greece has secured its position as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council for the 2024-2025 biennium in category A, following the IMO Assembly in London. Category A designates the 10 states with the most substantial interest in offering international shipping services.

SKOPJE - Serbian First Deputy PM and FM Ivica Dacic said on Thursday the so-called Kosovo would never become a member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Commenting on reports that Albania had sought OSCE membership for the so-called Kosovo, Dacic said that, fortunately, decisions in the organisation were taken by consensus.